Prayers of Intercession
Jesus reminds his followers that his mission means he is always on the move, demonstrating to others God’s love for everyone. This is our mission too, as we leave this place each weekend: to show God’s love for everyone by what we say and do during the week.
For Pope Francis and all Christian leaders, that they will be authentic witnesses of the gospel, speaking boldly and consistently about the priority of love: love for ourselves, for all of humanity and for our planet.
Lord in your mercy Hear our Prayer.
For all those in positions of leadership in the world of business, economics and politics, that they will have the courage and vision to make decisions based on the long term well-being of those for who they have responsibilities.
Lord in your mercy Hear our Prayer.
Prayer was a vital part of Jesus’ life, often in the early morning and it provided him with the energy and drive to continue his mission. May we too find a suitable time and place to pray each day so that, as missionary disciples, we’ll find the wisdom & strength to be the face of Jesus to those we meet.
Lord in your mercy Hear our Prayer.
We thank God for the work of many charities such as St Vincent de Paul and the Bethany Trust and the Food Banks in helping those who are desperate, destitute and homeless.
May we be generous with our time and donations in helping to support those in society whom Jesus singled out for special treatment.
Lord in your mercy Hear our Prayer.
For those on the Prayer Foundation list and for all those who are troubled in mind, body or spirit. May they be comforted by the love and healing power of Jesus through all who care for them and those who are praying for them.
Lord in your mercy Hear our Prayer.
For those who have died and those who mourn their loss. We remember especially:
Frances Friel, Liz Milne, Gillian Elizabeth Hawkins
and
Helen McKay Thompson.
Lord in your mercy Hear our Prayer.
Let us now say together our prayer to be missionary disciples.
Lord continue to bless our community
in this time of transition.
Help us on our journey
to grow from a maintenance church
to a missionary church.
Give us the courage
to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough
to receive all who need
human love and fellowship;
narrow enough to shut out
all envy, pride and prejudice.
Kindle in us the fire of your love
that all who come here
will find joy, peace and love.
Make this a house of prayer
and a gateway to your kingdom.
AMEN
Preparing for next week - Sixth Sunday B
Mark 1:40-45 The leprosy left the man at once, and he was cured.
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings
Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see
www.universalis.com.
Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.
Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved
Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)
Imagine a doctor saying, "Your cancer is completely gone - but don't tell anyone..."
Jesus is well aware that "outcasts" such as the leper will hear his message as Good News but the religious/secular authorities will see a threat in his call for radical change.
- It might seem to take a mixture of courage and cunning to be a missionary disciple - a lamb among wolves... What advice can you give each other about this? (Share)
- Would you have the courage to tell others to do as you do in order to be a Christian?
Why or why not? *
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center